- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Kadhal Vaaganam
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Jun 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Adakku Manadhai Adakku is a timeless philosophical song from the 1968 Tamil film Kadhal Vaaganam, performed by T. M. Soundararajan. The song acts as a moral discourse advising listeners to master their desires and restrain ego. It highlights that true nobility lies in helping those in need, shedding arrogance, and freely sharing love without feeling demeaned.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Ettai (Repetition)
“Adakku…adakku manadhai adakku”
The word 'Adakku' (Control) is repeated at the beginning and end of the refrain to emphasize mental self-control.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Aabathukku udhavi seidhaal paavamum illai / Veen aanavathai valarpadhanaal laabamum illai”
Rhyming endings with 'illai' in consecutive lines to create a rhythmic flow in philosophical statements.
Upamai (Simile)
“Idhai purindhu nadakkum pengal nenjam paalinam venmai”
Comparing the virtue and purity of a wise woman's heart to the whiteness and purity of milk ('paalinam venmai').
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Porumaiyudan karunai saerndhu pirappadhu penmai”
Use of matching initial consonants ('P') in Porumaiyudan, pirappadhu, and penmai.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kadhal Vaaganam (1968) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) alongside Jayalalithaa. MGR songs frequently featured moral lessons written by lyricists like Aalangudi Somu under K. V. Mahadevan's musical direction, directly aligning with MGR's political and social screen image.
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